sonakshisinha.net – Chester A. Arthur, the 21st President of the United States, remains one of the more overlooked figures in American history. Despite the dramatic shifts in his political career, which went from a staunch supporter of political patronage to an advocate for civil service reform, his presidency is often overshadowed by the more famous figures of the Gilded Age. Nevertheless, Arthur’s time in office was an important period in the development of American politics, marked by reform, modernization, and a more pragmatic approach to leadership than might be expected from a man once considered a product of political corruption.
Arthur’s presidency is often described as “forgotten” because, unlike many of his contemporaries, he did not leave behind a legacy that was heavily defined by bold or dramatic actions on the national stage. Yet, his leadership at a time of political strife and his commitment to reform through the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act represents a significant departure from the political norms of his era. His achievements, though sometimes understated, played a crucial role in shaping the direction of American governance and politics, especially in terms of modernizing the federal workforce and reducing corruption.
The Unlikely Rise of Chester A. Arthur
A Man of Political Machines
Born in 1829 in Fairfield, Vermont, Chester A. Arthur’s early years seemed to offer little indication of his future political rise. Raised in a strict religious household, Arthur’s father was a preacher, and the young Chester was known for his intelligence and ambition. He attended Union College, graduating near the top of his class in 1848, and later studied law. By the early 1850s, he was well-established in New York’s legal community.
However, it was Arthur’s involvement in the political scene of New York that truly set him apart. Like many of his contemporaries, Arthur’s early political career was intricately tied to New York’s powerful Republican political machine, led by the influential Roscoe Conkling. Conkling’s machine relied heavily on patronage, where political loyalty was rewarded with government positions, and it was through this system that Arthur advanced to become the Collector of the Port of New York in 1871.
Arthur’s position gave him significant control over the distribution of government jobs, and his role in the patronage system made him a key figure in Conkling’s political faction, known as the Stalwarts. The Stalwarts were defenders of the patronage system, a practice that many at the time saw as an essential tool for maintaining political power. As a product of this system, Arthur was not considered a natural choice for reform but was instead seen as a staunch defender of the status quo.
From Vice President to President
Arthur’s political career took a dramatic turn when he was selected as the Republican candidate for vice president in 1880. At the time, the Republican Party was deeply divided between the Stalwart faction, which supported patronage, and the Half-Breeds, who called for civil service reform. Arthur’s nomination for vice president was a strategic move designed to unite these factions, particularly to appease the powerful Stalwarts, despite his relatively low profile on the national stage.
In the 1880 election, James A. Garfield was elected president with Arthur as his running mate. Although Arthur had little experience with national politics, he was viewed as a loyal and reliable ally to Conkling’s machine. His vice presidency, however, would be short-lived.
In 1881, Garfield was tragically assassinated by Charles J. Guiteau, a mentally unstable office seeker who was angered by his failure to receive a government position. Garfield’s death thrust Arthur into the presidency, an event that many saw as problematic given his ties to the corrupt patronage system.
The Presidency of Chester A. Arthur: Reform and Legacy
A Surprising Shift in Policy
When Arthur ascended to the presidency, many expected him to continue the policies of patronage and political favoritism that had characterized his career. Instead, Arthur surprised the nation and political insiders by breaking from his past affiliations and embracing reform. In the wake of Garfield’s assassination, public outcry against the excesses of the patronage system reached a boiling point. There was widespread support for reducing political corruption in the federal government.
Arthur’s decision to embrace civil service reform marked the beginning of a notable transformation in his political career. He began to distance himself from the machine politics of his early years and set his sights on modernizing the federal government. This shift was not immediate, and Arthur faced considerable pressure from his allies within the political machine. Nevertheless, he remained steadfast in his commitment to reform.
One of the defining achievements of Arthur’s presidency was the signing of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883. This legislation aimed to end the practice of patronage by establishing a merit-based system for the hiring and promotion of federal employees. It created the Civil Service Commission to oversee government hiring, ensuring that jobs were awarded based on qualifications rather than political connections.
The Pendleton Act was a landmark piece of legislation, marking the beginning of the end for the spoils system. Although it did not eliminate patronage entirely, it laid the foundation for a modern, professional civil service. By requiring competitive exams for federal positions, it created a system where the most qualified individuals would be selected for government roles, reducing corruption and favoritism in the process.
The Modernization of the U.S. Navy
In addition to civil service reform, Arthur is also remembered for his contributions to the modernization of the United States Navy. While this is less often discussed in the context of his presidency, it was a significant achievement that helped the U.S. assert itself as a rising power on the global stage.
Arthur believed in strengthening America’s naval capabilities, and his administration oversaw the construction of a new fleet of warships. Under Arthur’s leadership, the U.S. began to modernize its navy, building steel-hull ships and investing in advanced technologies. This naval expansion laid the groundwork for the United States to become a more formidable force on the world stage in the decades to come.
Foreign Policy and Diplomacy
Arthur’s foreign policy was also marked by a desire to improve America’s relationships with Latin American countries. His administration worked to strengthen ties with the nations of the Western Hemisphere, supporting the Pan-American movement, which sought to foster cooperation and economic integration among countries in the Americas.
While Arthur’s foreign policy was not as revolutionary as his domestic reforms, it demonstrated a more modern approach to diplomacy. His efforts helped to establish the United States as a more influential player in the international community, particularly in the Western Hemisphere.
Personal Struggles and Legacy
Despite his achievements, Chester A. Arthur’s presidency remains relatively obscure in the annals of American history. There are several reasons why his time in office has been forgotten or minimized by historians. One of the main reasons is that Arthur’s presidency did not bring about the dramatic changes or high-profile events associated with some of his more famous contemporaries. Presidents like Theodore Roosevelt, Grover Cleveland, and Benjamin Harrison are often more celebrated for their accomplishments in the late 19th century.
Arthur also faced personal challenges during his presidency. He struggled with health issues, and his administration was often criticized for being overly cautious and lacking in bold action. Additionally, his decision to abandon patronage, while significant, was not always seen as a major political victory at the time. Though the Pendleton Act was a crucial step in reforming the federal government, it did not immediately change the political landscape or end the influence of political machines.
Despite these factors, Chester A. Arthur’s presidency was an important period in American history. His leadership during a time of political turmoil and his surprising embrace of civil service reform left an enduring mark on the country. The Pendleton Act, in particular, continues to be regarded as one of the most significant pieces of legislation passed in the late 19th century.
The Forgotten President: A Reevaluation of Arthur’s Legacy
Chester A. Arthur’s presidency may not have been marked by sweeping political changes or widespread public acclaim, but it is deserving of more attention and recognition than it typically receives. Arthur was a president who was able to adapt to the circumstances of his time, shedding his early associations with political machines and embracing a more progressive vision for American governance. His decision to pursue civil service reform and his contributions to the modernization of the U.S. Navy set the stage for future developments in American politics and international relations.
Arthur’s presidency may remain “forgotten” in the sense that it did not produce the kind of dramatic change that many associate with great presidencies. However, his actions and policies provided important groundwork for the future, and his legacy, though often overlooked, remains a testament to the potential for growth and reform in American politics.
Conclusion
Chester A. Arthur’s presidency may have been brief, but his leadership during a time of political change and his embrace of reform were crucial to shaping the future of American governance. While he may not be remembered as one of the most prominent presidents in U.S. history, Arthur’s role in reducing political corruption, modernizing the federal bureaucracy, and strengthening the military has left a lasting impact. The forgotten presidency of Chester A. Arthur is an example of how history sometimes overlooks the quiet achievements of leaders who have played pivotal roles in transforming the course of a nation.